Research & Context

This whole process was a bit tricky for me. I originally started out wanting to create the whole system - with gears and motors and everything. 

I had looked into pinion and gear tracks, looking at how smaller LEGO models showed how it might not be too hard.  I looked into how other people had created things that could move along a flat (and limited plane). I found the following CAD model (and GIF! Linked here: http://www.technologystudent.com/gears1/pin1a.gif )

Originally, I had thought of a pinion moving atop of a rack gear, so that some sort of “vehicular” creation would hold a plywood character cutout. However, upon further research and seeing models like this:

I then moved on from that idea, thinking that it might be better to have a motor with a gear at the middle of the model, and the plywood character cutouts are supported on the rack gear itself. That way there is no need to create a complicated structure to move atop a rack gear. This can be seen below as well (another LEGO model of the idea).

As time went on, however, I realized that my lack of experience was definitely hurting my process - I didn't really know how to attach motors or support the weight of something that would be pretty heavy later on.

I decided to consider manual movement - something that whoever was manning the game would be able to control. This could potentially be better, as electronics in booths don't always go so well (rain, weather, electricity failure... these can all get in the way).